[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 3]
[House]
[Pages 3306-3310]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                       INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pence). Under the Speaker's announced 
policy of January 3, 2001, the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood) is 
recognized for 60 minutes.
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of March's 
Women's History Month and March 8 as International Women's Day, which 
is today, here in Washington, D.C.; and I would also like to honor the 
late Honorable Cynthia Johnston Torres, a distinguished member of the 
Third Guam Legislature.
  Women's history month is a time to pay tribute to the women of our 
Nation, an appreciation for their contributions to the political, 
social, economic and cultural development of our country, in 
recognition of the many struggles and obstacles that women face, and in 
honor of the integral role that women have played in American history. 
Women make up, of course, over half of our country's population and 
have changed our Nation in many positive ways, and women have made 
their mark in various fields such as science and business, education, 
health, the public sector, the arts and entertainment, and the list 
goes on and on.
  The progress of women today must be considered in conjunction with 
continuing challenges. Today, women are affected by the major issues on 
our Nation's agenda, including and especially health care, Social 
Security, Medicare, tax reform, et cetera. Most recently, ergonomic 
issues impact women the most who represent 64 percent of the repetitive 
motion injuries that result in lost work time and, regrettably, the 
House voted to eliminate the most recent progress we have made on this 
issue.
  It is encouraging that 6 out of 10 women participate in the labor 
force. However, employment discrimination and unequal pay still exists. 
The future, however, looks promising as women are demonstrating 
increased participation in all levels and branches of government. 
Unfortunately, we still have many who have unrealistic and outmoded 
expectations about so-called traditional roles.
  Women's History Month has its own history that illustrates the gains 
that women have made in the last century. In order to reflect on 
international connections among women, some European nations have been 
celebrating International Women's Day on March 8 since 1911, following 
women's suffrage in 1920 and the valuable contributions made by women 
to the war industries during the 1940s and World War II. Women's issues 
were pushed to the forefront during the 1960s. The history of women has 
been finally acknowledged in schools and has become part of the regular 
curriculum in the 1970s; and in 1981, the National Women's History 
Project spearheaded the initiative

[[Page 3307]]

for National Women's History Week. The U.S. Congress passed a 
resolution in recognition of this week; and in 1987, this week has been 
expanded to National Women's History Month.
  Mr. Speaker, my own island of Guam proudly takes part in celebrating 
Women's History Month. The Bureau of Women's Affairs holds events 
recognizing women's accomplishments, addressing women's issues, and 
empowering women to be the best that they can be. The theme for 2001 is 
``Celebrating Women of Courage and Vision,'' and there will be a 
proclamation-signing not only for Women's History Month, but also for 
the Year of the Family.
  Today, the spirit of community and attention to women's issues in 
Guam is alive and well, as the Bureau of Women's Affairs and the Guam 
Council of Women's Clubs celebrated International Women's Day ahead of 
us, a day ahead of us, because Guam is always ahead, in an event 
involving the participation of various women's clubs and organizations 
from the government of Guam and the private sector. These organizations 
learned more about each other and shared information while many 
contributions from various cultures that are represented in Guam and 
artwork of Guam were showcased for all to see.
  The children of Guam are also active during Women's History Month, as 
they have participated in a poster and essay competition in promotion 
of this year's theme, ``Celebrating Women of Courage and Vision.'' 
Elementary school children have submitted posters and middle school and 
high school students have entered an essay contest, all of which are 
displayed at the center court of the Micronesian Mall. Such an event 
raises early awareness of women's issues and fosters early recognition 
of women's contributions to Guam's development.
  Finally, at the end of the month the outstanding women for the year 
2000 will be honored at the seventh annual awards banquet at the Guam 
Marriott Resort. Winners from the categories of non-traditional role; 
grandmother, GovGuam/Federal civil service; mother; community private 
sector will be announced. The influx of nominations illustrates that, 
indeed, the island does embrace women of courage and vision.
  In the executive branch of the government of Guam, Lieutenant 
Governor Madeleine Bordallo holds the highest position ever held by a 
woman in the government of Guam, and she currently serves her second 
term at this most important post. Out of the 60 agencies of the 
government of Guam, 11 are headed by women, including Andrea Finona of 
the Guam Passport Office; Sheila Torres of the Agency for Human 
Resources and Development; Jeanette R. Yamashita of the Chamorro 
Affairs Department; Isabel Lujan of the Department of Commerce; Rosie 
R. Tainatongo of the Department of Education; Borah J. Bordallo of the 
Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities; Geraldine ``Ginger'' S. 
Underwood of the Guam Educational Telecommunication Corporation, KGTF; 
Taling Taitano of the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority; Dr. 
Davina Lujan of the Guam Memorial Hospital; Thelma Ann Perez of the 
Guam Power Authority; and Christine K. Scott-Smith of the Guam Public 
Library.
  In addition, six of these 40 deputy directors are women.
  While others have served in acting capacities, Lourdes T. Pangelinan 
is the only woman who has served as the permanent chief of staff for 
the Governor of Guam.
  As we can see, political representation by women in Guam is 
encouraged. In fact, Guam law requires that all government of Guam 
boards and commissions maintain at least two female members in every 
board and commission. Several key boards have female chairpersons, such 
as the former Senator, Pilar Cruz Lujan, at the Guam Airport Authority; 
Lillian Opena at the Guam Council on Youth Affairs; Dr. Heidi San 
Nicolas at the Guam Development Disabilities Council; Miriam S. Gallet 
at the Guam Environmental Protection Board of Directors; Corina G. 
Ludwig at the Guam Mass Transit; Ann Muna at the Guam Memorial 
Hospital; Bernadita Quitugua at the Guam Museum; and Arlene P. Bordallo 
at the Port Authority of Guam Board of Directors.
  Women's participation in the legislative branch has also increased 
over the years and is the highlight of Guam's political history. The 
first elected female to public office was Rosa T. Aguigui of Merizo who 
was elected to the Guam Congress in 1946; and since 1986, women 
represent approximately one-third of the membership of the Guam 
legislature. Female membership was at its peak in 1990 when seven women 
were elected to serve in the 22nd Guam legislature which consists of 21 
members. During 3 separate years, women were the highest vote-getters 
for a legislative campaign. In 1986, Mayor Marilyn D.A. Manibusan had 
the most votes. In 1988, it was Madeleine Z. Bordallo, and in 1990, 
Doris Flores Brooks. Female legislators that have held the highest 
offices are Vice Speaker Katherine B. Aguon; Legislative Secretaries 
Pilar C. Lujan, Elizabeth Arriola, Judith Won Pat-Borja, and Joanne 
Brown; and Rules Committee Chairperson Herminia Dierking.
  In 1954, Lagrimas Leon Guerrero Untalan and Cynthia Johnston Torres 
were the first women elected to the Guam legislature. Currently, three 
of the 15 members are women: Senator Joanne M.S. Brown, who is 
legislative secretary and chairperson of the committee on Natural 
resources; Senator Lou A. Leon Guerrero, who is the assistant minority 
leader; and Senator Judith ``Judy'' T. Won Pat, the assistant minority 
whip. Past members have included Lagrimas Leon Guerrero Untalan, 
Cynthia Johnston Torres, Katherine B. Aguon, Carmen Artero Kasperbauer, 
Madeleine Z. Bordallo, Elizabeth P. Arriola, Pilar C. Lujan, Marilyn 
D.A. Manibusan, Hermina Duenas Dierking, Marcia K. Hartsock, Martha 
Cruz Ruth, Doris Flores Brooks, Marilyn Won Pat, Senator Hope A. 
Cristobal, Senator Carlotta Leon Guerrero, and Senator Elizabeth 
Barrett-Anderson, who is currently a Superior Court judge. The highest 
staff position held by a female in the Guam Legislature is deputy 
director, held by Dorothy Perez.
  Women have also made promising gains in the judicial branch as well. 
Two out of the seven judges of the superior court are women: Frances 
Tydingco-Gatewood and Judge Katherine A. Maraman. In the past, two out 
of the three full-time supreme court justices have been women: Justice 
Janel Healy-Weeks, who retired about 2 years ago, and the late justice 
Monessa Lujan. Three out of the island's 19 village mayors are women, 
including Isabel Haggard, who is in her 4th term as the mayor of Piti 
and is also a former vice president of the mayor's council; Mayor Rita 
Tainatongo of Merizo, who is serving her first term; and Concepcion B. 
Duenas, mayor of Tamuning-Tumon, who is also serving her first term. 
Three out of the five vice mayors are women, including June U. Blas of 
Barrigada; Melissa B. Savares of Dededo; and Nancy T. Leon Guerrero of 
Tamuning-Tumon, who are all serving their first term.
  Women have also held high positions in political parties. Marilyn 
D.A. Manibusan was the first and, to date, the only female chairperson 
of the Republican Party.
  As a native of Chamorro from Guam, I am proud to announce some of the 
``firsts'' for Chamorro women, a few of which I have mentioned already. 
Dr. Olivia Cruz was the first Chamorro woman licensed by the Medical 
Licensure Board; Frances Marie Tydingco Gatewood was the first Chamorro 
woman judge of the superior court; Elizabeth Gayle was the first 
Chamorro woman to be civil engineer; Dr. Rosa Robert Carter was the 
first Chamorro woman president and the only female president of the 
University of Guam; Mary Inez Underwood was the first woman of Chamorro 
ancestry to enter the religious life; Elizabeth Barrett Anderson was 
the first Chamorro woman attorney general; Rosa T. Aguigui Reyes was 
the first Chamorro woman elected to public office, as a member of the 
Guam Congress; Dr. Katherine B. Aguon was the first Chamorro woman to 
earn a Ph.D.

[[Page 3308]]



                              {time}  2000

  These women in public service have been exemplary for the entire 
island and for our navigation, and I am truly honored to represent a 
district with such strong women.
  Historically, the women of Guam have always played an important role 
in Guam society. In pre-Western times in Guam society, the Chamorro 
society was based on a matrilineal clan system in which women performed 
important and powerful roles in the lives of the people. Lineage was 
traced through the female line, and it was the relationships via the 
mother which determined wealth, social standing and power.
  Even with the onset of Western contact, which was patrilineal in 
nature, particularly the kind of Western contact that was experienced 
in Guam, which came primarily from Spain. Despite that, the Chamorro 
female retained much formal and informal power in Guam society. This 
has carried itself to the present, and girls and women continue to be 
influential in some social settings in Guam and quite dominant in 
others.
  Openness to female leadership and women in influential roles have 
been part of the Guam scene, not because of, because in spite of 
Western contact.
  Mr. Speaker, we must also pay tribute to the women whom I have not 
mentioned by name, yet who have also had a significant impact on our 
lives: Working women, who fight for equal pay and nondiscriminatory 
treatment; the women who stand up against domestic and family violence; 
the women who teach our children to become future leaders; like my 
mother and my wife Lorraine and even my own daughter Sophia, all of 
whom have been and still continue to be teachers in more ways than one, 
and the women who continue to learn in higher education institutions; 
the female community leaders who advocate for women's issues, lesbian 
women who are still fighting for the acceptance that they rightfully 
deserve.
  Last but certainly not least, let us pay tribute to mothers, who 
provide love and direction so our children are raised to become 
citizens with decency and values; single mothers who make sacrifices 
everyday so their children can live good lives; daughters who grow up 
to become independent women of integrity and diligence; and wives who 
provide companionship and stability.
  These are the women we celebrate in March for Women's History Month, 
and these are the women that we should celebrate all year round.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to recognize Women's History Month, 
not only because women's history is key to American history, but 
because women have contributed so much to our Nation through their 
strength, courage and vision.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to make particular note about the passing 
of a woman who has provided inspiration to all the people of Guam, the 
Honorable Cynthia Johnston Torres. It is with a great sense of loss 
that we commemorate Former Senator Torres, a distinguished member of 
the 3rd Guam legislature, who passed away 2 days ago at the age of 89 
on March 6, 2001.
  Senator Torres is a noted figure in Guam politics and society. She 
holds the distinction of being one of the first women to be elected to 
public office on the Island of Guam. Along with Lagrimas L.G. Untalan, 
the late senator was elected to serve in the 3rd Guam legislature in 
1954.
  They were the first and only women elected to Guam's unicameral 
assembly during the first 10 years of civil government on Guam.
  Although women have previously served as appointees to the Guam 
Congress, an advisory board to Guam's naval governors during the first 
half of the last century, Senators Torres and Untalan's election marked 
the first time that women would serve as elected representatives for 
the people.
  Foremost among the reasons behind the candidacy of Guam's first women 
senators were two specific objectives. These objectives were to define 
the character of Guam in and the years to come. The candidates intended 
to set a precedent. They wanted to have Guam's women involved in civic 
and political affairs. They believed that women should be independent, 
assertive and outspoken, just like these two women were.
  The significant number of women who have since served in key 
positions and elected to public office demonstrates the fulfillment of 
this goal and reflects the contributions of these two women, in 
particular the woman I want to draw attention to today, Ms. Cynthia 
Johnston Torres.
  The other objectives set forth in the 1954 elections was to break the 
concept of blocked voting, a practice whereby an X placed by a voter on 
a large box within the ballot automatically casts votes for an entire 
slate of candidates. During the elections for the first and second Guam 
legislatures, the forerunner of the Guam Democratic party, the Popular 
Party, was the only major political party in existence.
  Members of this party had absolute control of the first two 
legislatures. In 1954, Senator Torres' election as an independent to 
the legislature earned her a prominent position which ensured 
leadership status when the Territorial Party, which is commonly assumed 
to be the forerunner of the Guam Republican party, was formed in 1956. 
Guam voters have since been known to cross party lines and cast votes 
for candidates they feel most qualified rather than simply for party 
affiliations.
  Mr. Speaker, as a Member of the 3rd Guam legislature, Senator Torres 
played a vital role in the passage of important legislation, the most 
notable being Public Law 42, which established trial by jury in certain 
cases within the jurisdiction of the District Court of Guam. In 
addition to a wide range of bills, which codified the island of Guam's 
administrative and corporate procedures, the establishment of the Guam 
Memorial Hospital, the only civilian hospital, took effect during the 
senator's tenure and occurred as a result of her efforts.
  Although, undoubtedly, a very distinguished political figure, Senator 
Torres left a more distinct mark in the field of education. Born on 
July 27, 1911 to William G. and Agueda Iglesias Johnston, the senator 
took a path not much different from the ones taken by her parents.
  As the daughter of prominent educators, her parents' profession led 
her to devote her life to the field of education. Having received an 
education in California, Senator Torres returned to Guam in 1932 to 
become a teacher.
  She married a local successful entrepreneur, Jose Calvo Torres 
shortly thereafter. Mr. Torres passed away in 1946. The senator took 
over his business ventures and quickly became a respected member of the 
local business community.
  Having noted the lack of educational opportunities for Guam's 
handicapped children, Senator Torres decided to sell her business 
interests in 1958 in order to pursue a degree in education and special 
education, in particular.
  Upon completing her master's degree at the University of California 
in San Diego, she came back to Guam to become a consultant for the 
island's only school for physically and mentally handicapped children. 
She later became principal of the Chief Brodie Elementary School. Under 
her direction, this school developed and implemented educational and 
vocational programs which she added to the customary custodial care 
previously provided by the school to handicapped children.
  She retired from government service in 1975, and in recent years, she 
has served the community through her involvement in civic 
organizations.
  She was a member of the University of Guam Board of Regents, the Guam 
Economic Development Authority, the Marianas Association of Retired 
Citizens. She was a cofounder and charter member of the Guam Lytico-
Bodig Association. She has served as chair to the Guam Memorial 
Hospital's Board of Trustees and was a past President of the Guam 
Association of Retired Persons.
  For all her work and accomplishments, Senator Torres was conferred 
numerous awards and commendations, and she has received commendations 
in the Guam legislature, which has recognized her and commended her for 
her love and service for the people of Guam.

[[Page 3309]]

  Mr. Speaker, in addition, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law 
Degree from the University of Guam in 1981, and the distinguished 
leadership award from the American Biographical Institute for 
Outstanding Education.
  Senator Cynthia Johnston Torres leaves a great legacy of service and 
devotion to the island and the people of Guam. A pioneer in the field 
of politics and education, her endeavors and accomplishments provided 
inspiration to the men and women of Guam.
  As we mourn her passing, perseverance and energy will live forever in 
our hearts.
  Mr. Speaker, adios, Senator Torres, yan gof dangkalo na si Yu'os 
Ma'ase ginen todos I taotaon Guam. You are an inspiration to the people 
of Guam and to our Nation. During women's history month and beyond, we 
will celebrate your life and your legacy.
  Mr. Speaker, March is more than just Women's History Month in Guam. 
It is also the month in which we celebrate the indigenous roots of the 
islands. It started off as Chamorro Week. It has now been expanded to 
Chamorro Month. And, ironically, it was connected to an event which 
occurred in 1521, which on March 6, 1521, Ferdinand Magellan, 
Magallanes, one of the world's most famous explorers, who has since 
become as the first European to lead a circum-navigation of the earth 
landed on Guam on March 6, 1521.
  In observance of this landing, the people of Guam celebrate what has 
been known as Discovery Day, and this past Tuesday, March 6, 2001, Guam 
celebrated the 480th anniversary of Discovery Day.
  Mr. Speaker, of course, since that time, there has been much soul 
searching about the meaning of being discovered, the meaning of contact 
with the West, and the fact that the people of Guam and, indeed, the 
people of the Pacific Islands as they interacted with Europeans 
experienced a number of tragedies, including immediate depopulation, 
either caused by armed conflict or diseases for which there was no 
natural immunity in these relatively isolated islands. As a 
consequence, there has been an attempt to balance how we remember these 
events.
  Indeed, when Ferdinand Magellan first came to Guam in March 6th, 
1521, he was at the tail end of his move across the Pacific, had 
rounded the Cape in South America. By the time they arrived in Guam, 
his crew was reduced to eating all the rats aboard ship and actually 
boiling some of the leather in their shoes so that they could perhaps 
get some sustenance from that, and so it was fortunate for the crew. It 
was fortunate for Magellan that they happened upon to the island of 
Guam and indeed the people of Guam replenished them, gave them food and 
water.
  Mr. Speaker, an incident occurred at the time in which the Spaniards 
claimed that the Chamorro people were trying to steal a little boat, a 
little skiff, which in the old days of these galleon-type vessels, 
there would all be like a little boat kind of trailing behind. In 
retaliation, Magellan landed a crew of people and with crossbows 
proceeded to kill seven Chamorros.
  It is of great irony that many, many centuries later the people of 
Guam who had this experience, first-time experience with Europeans 
would actually commemorate Discovery Day, although, somewhat in tongue 
and cheek these days when this landing is recreated as it was earlier 
this week, it is the Chamorros who in turn killed the Spaniards. So it 
has taken on different dimensions.
  It is part of a constellation of events, which has come to be known 
as Chamorro Week and Chamorro Month. I have been intimately involved in 
this process, because as a young teacher in the 1970s, I, along with a 
fellow teacher at George Washington High School in Guam, first 
conceptualized the idea of celebrating the indigenous culture and 
language and food and customs and art of the people of Guam.
  Mr. Speaker, at that time, many of these items were thought to be of 
little social value, of absolutely minimal educational value. It was 
our intent at that time to not only highlight and celebrate and 
commemorate this beautiful culture, which had been 4,000 years in the 
making and which we have inherited for generation upon generation, to 
try to reflect upon it and the changes which have occurred on it and 
find room for it in the curriculum of the public schools and, indeed, 
all the schools of the island.
  At the time that we did it, it was not originally widely accepted. 
Since that time, Chamorro Week celebration has become very widely 
accepted and is now practiced throughout the schools, and in many ways 
was part of a larger effort to reintroduce the essence of the culture 
and the language of the people of Guam into the public schools.
  Today children in Guam are learning the Chamorro language and 
learning much about their heritage and much about their past in ways 
that would have been thought unthinkable when I was in elementary 
school. We feel very good about that, and we feel that March is a good 
time to reflect upon that and as we juxtapose the circumstances 
surrounding the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan and all those things, all 
of the events which followed that so-called discovery and the changes 
of this culture that has come to be known as the Chamorro culture of 
the Mariana Islands, of which Guam is the largest islands, more 
probably appropriately called the culture of the taotaomonas, the 
people of the land.

                              {time}  2015

  Now, throughout this whole time period, if we go back this 480 years, 
I take this opportunity to raise the historical background to the 
House, and I do this annually in order to draw attention to the fact 
that the people of Guam and, indeed, the people of all small Pacific 
island societies have a great challenge ahead of them; and that 
challenge is to survivor this century.
  In many ways, the people, the indigenous Pacific islanders of the 
world feel impinged upon and feel that many of the things that they 
find familiar will be so dramatically altered over time that they will 
cease to exist as peoples, not just cease to exist as individuals, but 
that maybe three or four or five generations from now there will be no 
one who will identify themselves proudly as Chamorros and understand 
the meaning of that.
  It is with some note of melancholy that I draw attention to this, 
because one of the most beautiful parts of it is the fact of the use of 
the Chamorro language, a language which I grew up with and which I know 
reasonably well. Yet, it pains me to know that succeeding generations 
do not know it as well.
  So we use this opportunity to reflect upon the condition, the 
cultural condition and the social condition of our people as we engage 
upon this celebration and as we engage upon this commemoration.
  It also provides some understanding to the kinds of legislation which 
I have introduced, including H.R. 308, an act to establish a Guam War 
Claims Review Commission which speaks to the experience of the Chamorro 
people during World War II, and a House concurrent resolution which I 
introduced in the past Congress and which I will introduce in this 
Congress, a resolution to reaffirm the commitment of the United States 
to help Guam achieve full self-governance.
  After more than four centuries of colonial rule under Spain, under 
Japan, indeed under America, the people of Guam are entering a new 
world of self-discovery. Discovery by others is not nearly as important 
as discovery of oneself. And definition by others is meaningless if you 
cannot initially define yourself. And determination of your future 
pales in significance to self-determination.
  So Guam in full partnership with the United States and in its strong 
desire to remain an integral part of the United States is now 
undergoing a process of self-discovery and self-definition and 
ultimately self-determination.
  This process will eventually wind its way through this body as it has 
through the hearts and minds of the people of Guam, and it will call 
upon each and every one of us to, not only treat with respect the 
experiences of Guam, but to apply fully the best principles of 
democracy which makes America the great Nation that she is.

[[Page 3310]]

  In the coming weeks, I will explain in greater detail H.R. 308 and 
the concurrent resolution which reaffirms the United States' commitment 
to help Guam achieve full self-governance. Both of these proposals seek 
justice for the people of Guam and true and full democracy and fair 
play as unique members of the American family.
  In conclusion, I must believe that the people of Guam celebrate 
Discovery Day, this ironic holiday for us. It is a holiday in Guam, I 
might add, to recognize our rich culture and understand our unique 
history. This will enable us to understand how we are perceived and 
allow us to articulate our true history so that we, along with the 
United States, in this new century can redefine and maintain our strong 
relationship and allow Guam a greater voice in how the island is 
governed.

                          ____________________